Cambridge Mayor Considers a Soda Ban

The mayor of the Massachusetts town wants to limit the size of soda sold in restaurants.

June 21, 2012

CAMBRIDGE, MA - Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis proposed earlier this week limiting the size of sugar-sweetened beverages sold in city restaurants, the Boston Globe reports.

Inspired by a similar NYC proposal by Mayor Bloomberg and citing an increased risk of obesity and diabetes as reasoning for the resolution, Davis has asked the city€™s health officials to study the proposal and make a recommendation.

"As much free will as you can have in a society is a good idea," Davis said, "But with a public health issue, you look at those things that are dangerous for people, that need government regulation."

Davis said regulation might not be necessary to restrict the sale of large-sized sugary beverages in the city. She said city officials could offer a voluntary compliance agreement to vendors or create an incentive program to encourage cooperation.

Reaction to the proposal was swift. Don Puzy, the manager of a 7-Eleven in the city, called the mayor۪s proposal "absolutely crazy.۪۪

"We appreciate her trying to do something about the kids, their weight, but that is not the way to go about it," Puzy said. "There are a lot of programs for it €¦ starting from the schools €¦ Don€™t put it on the stores.€™€™

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